COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

PRINS. MEMO NO. 28

September 2, 2003

ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE/SECONDARY

TO:	Principals
FROM:	Patricia I. Wright Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
SUBJECT:	Distribution of Creating Active Readers, A Staff Development Tool for Middle School English Teachers

We are pleased to notify you that a new collection of seven compact disks called Creating Active Readers (CAR) will be distributed to central office directors of instruction and all middle school principals in your division. The Creating Active Readers collection contains virtual classroom observations and lesson plans focusing on teaching reading comprehension in grades 6 through 8. Analysis of statewide achievement data indicates reading comprehension in the middle grades is an area of need.

It is our goal that teachers will use these resources to expand their strategies to help students comprehend written material more effectively. We are requesting English supervisors and middle school principals to acquaint teachers with CAR and formulate plans for its continuing use.

To view the virtual classroom observations, the computer plug-ins provided on the CAR compact disks must be connected to its browser. Technical support personnel in your division may need to assist with this process. Also included are suggestions for assigning license renewal points to those who view, adapt, and implement the lessons contained in CAR.

If you need additional information about this or other products for middle school English language arts, please

contact Catherine Rosenbaum (crosenba@mail.vak12ed.edu), specialist, reading and language arts, Office of Middle Instructional Services at 804/225-2665.

PIW/CR/yba